Saint Stephen, SC Water Safety: 73/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Saint Stephen holds an above-average drinking water safety record for SC — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Saint Stephen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Stephen Water
- Homes built before 1986: 51% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,100 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.76 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Stephen
For most households in Saint Stephen, SC, tap water comes from one provider — the utility that controls the local distribution system out of 1 tracked in federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Stephen, South Carolina (population ~6,287), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 95,345 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Stephen — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Stephen: B (73/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Saint Stephen water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Stephen
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29479 | B | BCWSA SANGAREE W/D (0820002) | 95,345 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Stephen
- 29479 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Saint Stephen
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Stephen
With 51% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Saint Stephen, the median build year of 1984 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Saint Stephen were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Stephen Homeowners
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Saint Stephen is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 3.0% of home value, remediation costs in Saint Stephen represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,200–$4,800. Home values here are 49% below the South Carolina average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Stephen
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
51% of Saint Stephen housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Saint Stephen
FEMA data shows 100% of Saint Stephen's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 4 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Saint Stephen has a moderate flood history with 4 FEMA claims averaging $72,149 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$3,100</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Saint Stephen, SC